Community cleanup planned

Plans are in the works at the county solid waste management division for a community-wide cleanup event once the border reopens and property owners can come back to their long-neglected properties.

“We’re definitely committed to making it happen,” said Whatcom County Health Department spokesperson Melissa Morin. “We absolutely expect to be able to help the community in that way.”

The idea of a free community cleanup event came through the Point Roberts Taxpayers’ Association to the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee after community members expressed concern about yard waste dumping.

The committee wrote a letter to county executive Satpal Sidhu on July 13 asking that the county work with the Point Roberts garbage service provider Cando Recycling and Disposal to create a plan for “2-4 days of free drop off service for property taxpayers at the Point Roberts Transfer Station.”

The request was for free recycling, garbage, large item and yard waste drop off for owners displaying their property tax statement.“With the border closed for the past 17 months, a majority of taxpayers have been paying for garbage and recycling services that they have not been provided,” the letter stated. “However, once the border is open, many homeowners will be returning to properties that will require considerable clean up and repairs.”

“Having free clean up days reflects a very real need in the community as it restarts. By ensuring no additional costs are incurred for homeowners to clean up their properties, we believe that the work will be completed more quickly and there will be reduced potential for illegal dumping.”